Legislature
In Harrisburg, far more bills fail than pass
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/in-harrisburg-far-more-bills-fail-than-pass
Volunteer issues part of bigger one
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/volunteer-issues-part-of-bigger-one-1.2417518
Our view: Don’t delay fire, EMS services fix
http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20181203/our-view-dont-delay-fire-ems-services-fix
Catholic Church
Legal fees mount for Catholic dioceses amid sex abuse investigations
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14363645-74/legal-fees-mount-for-catholic-dioceses-amid-sex-abuse-investigations
Education
Pennsbury schools will reopen Monday, but boil-water alert remains in force
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsbury-boil-water-advisory-bucks-county-pennsylvania-american-water-dep-20181202.html
Some Apollo-Ridge students benefit from ‘school lunch fairies’ – and don’t even know it
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14361786-74/some-apollo-ridge-students-benefit-from-a-pair-of-school-lunch-fairies-
Seniors treated to free breakfast
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/seniors-treated-to-free-breakfast-1.2417592
Warwick High School student dies after ‘medical emergency’ on campus, district says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/warwick-high-school-student-dies-after-medical-emergency-on-campus.html#incart_river_index
Erie School District adds bus aides to keep rides calm
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181203/erie-school-district-adds-bus-aides-to-keep-rides-calm
Elections/Politics
Does Pa. really need new voting machines? County commissioners question funding, timing
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2018/12/county-commissioners-question-the-funding-the-timing-the-need-for-replacing-voting-machines.html#incart_river_index
Democracy for all: Ex-cons should be allowed to cast ballots
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/03/Democracy-for-all-Ex-cons-should-be-allowed-to-cast-ballots/stories/201812030020
Gaming
Pa.’s first sports-betting casino attracts a younger crowd
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/tourism_casinos/sports-betting-pa-casinos-hollywood-penn-national-20181203.html
Local News
Solomon Creek flood wall project ahead of schedule
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/solomon-creek-flood-wall-project-ahead-of-schedule-1.2417655
Luzerne County Council set to start altering the proposed 2019 budget Tuesday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726472/luzerne-county-council-set-to-start-altering-the-proposed-2019-budget-tuesday
Local Jewish community celebrates start of Hanukkah
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-jewish-community-celebrates-start-of-hanukkah-1.2417661
Scranton city council to vote on budget that won’t raise taxes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-to-vote-on-budget-that-won-t-raise-taxes-1.2417711
Old Forge holiday festival bursting at the seams
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/old-forge-holiday-festival-bursting-at-the-seams-1.2417671
Picric acid discovered in mining kits in Hazleton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/picric-acid-discovered-in-mining-kits-in-hazleton-1.2417636
The global tear gas business is booming, and it’s been a boon for one Western Pa. town
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2018/11/29/The-global-tear-gas-business-is-booming-and-it-s-been-a-boon-for-one-Pennsylvania-town/stories/201811010294
Jury selection in Westmoreland Sheriff Held’s trial to begin Monday
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14363183-74/jury-selection-in-westmorelands-sheriff-held-trial-to-begin-monday
Reading lights up its Christmas tree; Santa lights up kids’ faces
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-lights-up-its-christmas-tree-santa-lights-up-kids-faces
Johnstown Housing Authority gets high marks, bucks national trend
https://www.tribdem.com/news/johnstown-housing-authority-gets-high-marks-bucks-national-trend/article_68883a32-f6ad-11e8-a079-1b7242384b31.html
Philly
If you have a program to help paralyzed gun victims and they don’t know about it, that’s a problem | Helen Ubiñas
http://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/helen_ubinas/gun-violence-victims-paralyzed-helen-ubinas-20181203.html
Archdiocese of Philadelphia closes three former parish sites
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia-archdiocese-catholic-churches-closed-20181202.html
Report: Hunger and discrimination go hand in hand | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/report-hunger-and-discrimination-go-hand-in-hand-commentary-20181203.html
Is Philadelphia catching up to Lehigh Valley in warehouse construction?
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-biz-philadelphia-warehouse-construction-20181130-story.html
Temple’s Marc Lamont Hill has supporters, detractors in Israel-Palestine controversy
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/temple-s-marc-lamont-hill-has-supporters-detractors-in-israel/article_c3cda449-7421-53dc-a8b7-b7dd6a6519e0.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh’s Healthy Ride bike-sharing program expanding after a rough stretch
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/12/02/Healthy-Ride-Pittsburgh-bike-sharing-program-adding-stations-new-neighborhoods/stories/201812020119
Pittsburgh expects to follow up on ideas not selected for Ford’s City of Tomorrow Challenge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/12/03/Pittsburgh-Ford-City-of-Tomorrow-Challenge-126-other-proposals-improve-transportation/stories/201812020053
Josh Harrison’s parting gift to Pittsburgh? The contents of his house
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2018/12/03/Josh-Harrison-Pittsburgh-Pirates-furniture-Light-of-Life-Mission-donation-Robby-Incmikoski/stories/201812020210
Walkabout: High-minded idea for T stations has given way to gluttonous advertising
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/diana-nelson-jones/2018/12/03/Office-of-Public-Art-Romare-Bearden-Albert-Paley-Mark-Perrott-Sallyann-Kluz/stories/201812020034
Menorah lighting outside Tree of Life shows that the light is still on
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14362951-74/menorah-lighting-outside-tree-of-life-shows-that-the-light-is-still
State News
Pa. game warden attacked while probing hunting violation report
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2018/12/02/Pennsylvania-Game-warden-attacked-probing-hunting-violation-report-Schuylkill/stories/201812020205
Derry Township farmer grows ag legacy as state industry leader
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14363156-74/derry-township-farmer-grows-ag-legacy-as-state-industry-leader
Lackawanna River nominated for 2019 River of the Year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-river-nominated-for-2019-river-of-the-year-1.2417678
Western Pennsylvania road crews say they’re ready for Old Man Winter
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14361828-74/western-pennsylvania-road-crews-say-their-ready-for-old-man-winter
This is why I don’t go to Pennsylvania Society | Kirstin Snow
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/12/this-is-why-i-dont-go-to-pennsylvania-society-kirstin-snow.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania Society is more than just parties | Charlie Gerow
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/12/pennsylvania-society-is-more-than-just-parties-charlie-gerow.html#incart_river_index
PA Unite Against White Supremacy rally held on Capitol steps
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/pa_unite_against_white_suprema.html#incart_river_index
The Rundown: Wolf says turnpike drivers could soon get a break
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-wolf-says-turnpike-drivers-could-soon-get-a-break
Pa. ruling: Employers legally responsible for protecting employees’ data
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/pa-supreme-court-employers-legally-responsible-for-protecting-workers-data.php
Land testing at Don Guanella digs up concerns
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/land-testing-at-don-guanella-digs-up-concerns/article_8c368000-f424-11e8-a885-d3139a58373d.html
Transportation
Weather pushes back end date for PennDOT’s Rapid Bridge Replacement Program — until next year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/12/02/PennDOT-bridge-replacement-program-558-small-bridges-Plenary-Walsh-time-extended-again/stories/201812010029
Steuben Street Bridge closed for 2 weeks
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14363725-74/steuben-street-bridge-closed-for-2-weeks
Amtrak hits car parked next to tracks, causing no injuries, short delay
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14362357-74/amtrak-hits-car-parked-next-to-tracks-causing-no-injuries-short-delay
Board approves proposal to seek bridge repair plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/board-approves-proposal-to-seek-bridge-repair-plan-1.2417576
Washington
Washington to pay respects, bid farewell to George H.W. Bush
http://www2.philly.com/news/nation-world/washington-pay-respects-bid-farewell-george-hw-bush-20181203.html
Rep. Schiff suggests Roger Stone may have lied to Congress
http://www2.philly.com/politics/nation/rep-schiff-suggests-roger-stone-may-have-lied-congress-20181202.html
U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello’s exit interview
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/us-rep-ryan-costellos-exit-interview
Food stamp work plan thwarted
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/food-stamp-work-plan-thwarted/